LIVE REVIEW: Sabaton, Accept and Twilight Force rock Dublin to the core

THERE are somethings that are reliable - atomic clocks, quasars, the seasons, the moons rise and fall, and Sabaton playing in Ireland - north and south - on a regular basis. Joachim and crew are always afforded an exceptional response, but when they played the Academy in Dublin they brought some mates along for the party!

Yep, the Swedish monster arrived in the Irish capital with Accept and Twilight Force, two bands that could earn headline status in their own right.

Playing with vigour and power Twilight Force were quick to get the Dublin crowd to their feet. Interacting with the gathering crowd from the off  'Heroes...' had the audience rising with fists in their air.

However, when Accept mounted the stage it was to rapturous a reception, The Teutonic maestros have been revered on this island for longer than they probably realise.

The opening duo of Stampede and Stalingrad amped up the atmosphere and throughout every song and every note and every exhortation from Mark Tornillo and every gesture from Wolf Hoffman the audience responded.

Whether it was classics such as the tumultuous version of 'Fast As A Shark' or more recent material from 'Blind Rage' Accept were greeted as conquering heroes. The synchronised guitar movements from Wolf and Uwe might be clichéd to the intelligentsia but to the adoring fans it was yet further fulfilment of Accept's stature.

The conclusion - 'Ball To The Wall' - is an inducement to singalong every note and every chant. Accept - come back soon!

As to Sabaton? Well, they do what they do so well. They are the maestros of metallic mayhem. opener 'Ghost Division' was followed by a raft of songs, and the lurking tank...

Sabaton do not glorify war, but they honour soldiers and their heroics throughout the ages. 'Carulous Rex' and 'Night Witches' were among the stand-outs, but the closing tracks elevated the show and the audience's response.

'To Hell And Back'...well no-one does the grandiosity and humour that Sabaton deliver is something special.

Serious in their intent and self-deprecating at the same time the Swedish metal machine may add and take away from their line-up (new members on show for this tour) but they, like Accept, have a presence and power that few can equal.

Pictures and review by Darren McVeigh
Addition editing by Jonathan Traynor